Last week after the Nuneaton game Youth Team Manager Paul Casey handed in his resignation citing overriding family reasons for his sudden departure.  Everyone at Hednesford Town FC thanks Paul for his hard work over the last two seasons and we wish him all the best for the future.  The Managers post is currently being advertised along with a vacancy for Assistant Manager and Physio. 

In the interim period Adam Smallman will be at the helm for the young Pitmen assisted by Anthony Davies. 

The game got off to an even start with the first chance going to Loughborough after 5 minutes with a run forward and shot producing a great save from the returning Liam Flynn.  Hednesford were not content to soak up pressure and were on the charge two minutes later with Nick Smith on the run forward before crossing to Jack Hepple in the middle.  The ball gets cleared back to Smith but the ball is cleared again before he can get a shot on goal.  The end to end attacking continued with Cameron Burns clearing a shot on goal for a corner which is cleared for another corner by Lee Foyle.  The second corner comes into the box but bounces safely into keeper Flynn’s hands.

Hednesford are straight onto the attack from Flynn’s kick with Nick Smith passing the ball to the left and getting his own ball back before passing to Steve Davies who curls a shot passed the keeper and it’s 1-0 to the Pitmen after 12 minutes.  Loughborough don’t take long to start attacking again and as Flynn comes out to collect the ball on the edge of the box, the bounce catches him out and the ball goes into the box again but Foyle is on hand to clear off the line before the ball is in Flynn’s hands.  Good work by Joshua Allen-Noble (Nobby) leads to a Hednesford free kick, Foyle’s kick goes straight into the wall but the ball fall to Ryan Bishop but his shot goes just over the bar.  Hednesford continue on the attack and a great shot by Jack Hepple after 18 minutes is well held by the Loughborough Keeper.

A brief quite spell is ended after 25 minutes when Hednesford take a 2-0 lead with a scramble in the box before the Assistant Referee flags to signal the ball has crossed the line with Rob Stevenson getting the final touch.  Four minutes later the defence combine well to keep the score at 2-0.  As half time approaches Mike Jones makes a good block on the edge of the box to deny Loughborough a chance and the follow-up shot is caught by Flynn.  Rob Stevenson has a shot for Hednesford that produces a good save by the Loughborough Keeper who pumps the ball to his striker and it’s the Hednesford keeper’s turn to make a save.  The half ends with more good work by the Hednesford defence another block by Jones.

The second half begins in much the same form as the first half ended and the spectators cannot say they didn’t see an entertaining game of football.  Good work from Nobby before he passed the ball through to the impressive Rob Stevenson to make it 3-0 to the Pitmen after 42 minutes in a perfect start to the second half.  This is followed by a good run forward by Jack Hepple who shoots across goal and Stevenson tries to follow in but see his shot go just wide.  Hednesford continue with the pressure on the Loughborough defence and Steve Davies shot is cleared for a corner.  Loughborough are still in determined mood and the number 10 has a shot at Liam Flynn’s goal but he collects the ball well.  After the ball is released Loughborough win it back and the number 7 floats a cross in before it being cleared for a corner.

On 13 minutes the busy Loughborough number 10 has a decent shot which is turned over for a corner by Flynn.  The resulting corner leads to a goal with the Loughborough number 14 heading the ball on and over Flynn.  3-1.  Loughborough continue to attack and Mike Jones makes another good clearance.  On 61 minutes Nick Smith goes on a run forward, the ball deflects off a defender and Smith continues his run onto the loose ball and restores the 3 goal lead.  4-1 to the Pitmen.

A run forward by Jack Hepple on 67 minutes down the left leads to a cross into the middle to Steve Davies who looks to pass back to Hepple but the defender gets there first and clears the ball for a corner.  Five minutes later and another good run from Nick Smith but his shot is just over the bar.  A minute later and Hednesford have a good shout for a penalty when Rob Stevenson is felled but the referee and assistant deny the loud claims.  Loughborough continue there dominant spell with a ball into the box which is cleared by Mark Bradbury who last week had set up Nick Smith’s fine goal.

The second half begins to draw to a close with numerous shots on goal for both sides but the defence and the keepers prove too strong.  On 87 Minutes Nobby shoots from just outside the box but it goes agonisingly wide.  Loughborough head straight towards the Pitmen goal from the clearance and the number 11 makes it 4-2.  On 90 minutes Loughborough are still on the attack with a free kick into the box and the ball dances in front of goal before the referee call time on the game.

A great result for the Pitmen after an unsettled week, well done to all involved. 

Pitmen Team: Flynn, Burns, Foyle, Bishop, Bradbury, Jones, Stevenson, Allen-Noble, Hepple, Davies, Smith.  Subs: Austin (67 mins for Davies) Mills (80 mins for Foyle) Spencer (90 mins for Stevenson), Morton, Bills

The Youth Team are away at Bedworth on the 16^th September and return to Keys Park for the FA Youth Cup on the 21^st September against Bromsgrove Rovers

Dorinda HTFC Youth Secretary